Mahila Housing Trust – Empowering Women through Sustainable Development Goals
MHT is the grassroot development organization in India, believes that women are the leaders in driving progress toward more sustainable and gender-inclusive cities. We help develop women’s grassroots institutions and build their knowledge and capacities to engage with decision-making on issues that concern their communities and cities. We also bring technical expertise in construction, technology, and urban governance to help design and deliver pro-poor services and programs. The socio-technical nature of our organization makes us uniquely positioned to act as a bridge between grassroots and mainstream public and private sector institutions and advance action on responsible urban development.
Varanasi Heat Action Plan
n November 2024, NRDC India, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG) and Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) co-organized a consultation with Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) and Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) to initiate a dialogue on the development of a local HAP. The consortium was organized with relevant stakeholders from Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, Office of Chief Medical Officer, VNN & VDA. The aim was to engage directly with the people of Varanasi, capture their lived experiences, and collaboratively shape solutions that could be integrated into the HAP to drive meaningful change. Download the Varanasi Heat Action Plan.
Churu Heat Action Plan
Rajasthan has long been among India’s most heat-affected regions, with exposure risks compounded by its arid geography, low and erratic rainfall, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Recognizing this, local governments have begun to take action. In April 2023, the city of Jodhpur partnered with the Jodhpur Nagar Nigam North (JNNN), Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) AND Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to release their ward-level HAP grounded in local data and community engagement.20 This initiative formalized Jodhpur’s approach to extreme heat and marked a significant step toward institutionalizing local climate resilience. Download the Churu Heat Action Plan.
As part of the Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS), and MHT introduced India’s first ‘Cool Bus Stop’ at Lal Darwaja on March 18, 2025, to protect commuters from extreme heat.
The location is strategically chosen as the bus stop remains exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day and experiences a high footfall of over 6 lakh commuters during summer season.
Equipped with a High-Pressure Mist System, this energy-efficient cooling solution provides much-needed relief, especially to students, daily-wage workers, and vulnerable communities.
This transformation sets a benchmark for climate-resilient public spaces, inspiring cities across South-Asia to combat rising temperatures and enhance commuter comfort.
The Jodhpur Heat Action Plan
Focusing on women-led development, MHT contributes towards:
CAF International Validation
Mahila Housing Trust has been validated by CAF International.
The CAF International Validated Organisation Badge is awarded to organisations that are structured and operated as non-profit entities. This ensures donors are aware that we are eligible to receive tax-efficient donations in the United States and that we have completed CAF America’s rigorous due diligence process.
